Montana fly fishing the Boulder River in June
Boulder River fly fishing picks up as runoff starts to subside in mid-June. High flows make wading difficult as the lower river offers very little public access and the current can be treacherous in the upper reaches. Skilled kayakers and rowers enjoy whitewater adventures on the Boulder River during early June, but trout fishing happens later in the month.
The pocket water character of this freestone yields myriad holding lies for wild trout. Quick, accurate casts into the soft water behind boulders and along ledges will result in aggressive strikes. However, the current moves quickly, and these “windows” are often less than a couple of feet in size. Timely and accurate casting is essential.
As flows begin to level out in late June, floating and fly fishing the Boulder River offers a unique experience for anglers with intermediate to advanced fly-fishing skills.
Boulder River Fly Fishing Hatches in June
Salmonflies and golden stones emerge in late June, along with yellow sallies, caddis, and pale morning dun (PMD) mayflies. There are diverse insect populations in the Boulder and a variety of attractor patterns will bring trout to the surface.
Anglers fishing the Boulder River generally find success with a wide range of dry flies in June, rather than by focusing on “matching the hatch.” Light angling pressure and an abundance of cover make Boulder River trout opportunistic feeders.
Bozeman Fly Fishing Guides Pro-Tip:
Cast light-colored, articulated streamers down and across the current during the higher water levels of June. Focus your efforts where the East Boulder meets the mainstem of the Boulder, as fish tend to congregate at that confluence this time of year. From there, you can wade downstream, swinging your streamer across and into likely looking holding water. Keep an eye on water levels, as they can change quickly, and stay below the high water mark at all times.
Boulder River Fly Box for June
Boulder River Fly Fishing Techniques in June
High water conditions are the norm when fly fishing the Boulder River in June. As flows begin to drop, usually sometime in the latter half of the month, the river opens up to raft access. Anglers who float and fish from rafts have the advantage here, as stream access is difficult for wade fishermen.
Dry-dropper setups are standard this time of year. Use a Chubby Chernobyl or other large stonefly as your dry fly. Attach two to three feet of 3X tippet to the hook bend with a weighted attractor nymph at the end. Nymphing along drop-offs and river bend seams is very productive, but the best areas are difficult to access in high water without a boat.
Fly fishing the Boulder River in high water can be both exhilarating and frustrating, even for skilled anglers. Trout hold and feed in the soft water behind mid-river boulders, but effectively presenting flies in these spots while drifting in a rapidly moving raft is challenging. Don’t expect to hit all the good water. The good news is that there is no shortage of viable targets, and experienced anglers will invariably connect with a few nice trout, even on the most difficult days.
Boulder River Fly Fishing Trips in June
With over two decades of experience outfitting Montana fly fishing trips on the Boulder River, our Bozeman fly fishing guides pay close attention to the river as flows approach 1500 CFS. Even then, we find that most anglers struggle to effectively fish the water as the current races the raft downstream.
Skilled anglers, however, enjoy the challenge of these conditions, and the scenery is spectacular at this time of the year. We have found that the Boulder River fishes best when the flows are between 800 and 1500 CFS (typically in early July).
The ideal window on the Boulder river is short, and our guides are selective about the clients they bring on a Boulder River day trip. Only anglers with intermediate to advanced fly fishing skills can take full advantage of the opportunities on this river. We use inflatable rafts, and some of the launch and take-out sites require considerable effort to get in and out of the boat, so guests need to be highly mobile and able to navigate swift current over slick rocks.
The Boulder River is aptly named: an endless string of large boulders lines the river bottom. Safely navigating these hazards is a challenge, and anglers floating the Boulder River need to be in good physical condition to assist with unexpected obstructions and short portages.
Reservations for Boulder River fishing trips can be secured online, via e-mail, or by calling our experts at 1-406-468-5019. Timing is crucial for angling success, so be flexible with your plans and rely on our 23+ years of experience to determine if a Boulder River fishing trip is a good choice for your Montana fly fishing tour.
Once the river flow drops below 700 CFS, the river becomes best suited for wading anglers and our guides turn their attention to other Montana fly fishing rivers near Bozeman.